Page 9 of Protected

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

“Sorry, boss,” Adara said from the doorway. “I tried to warn you.”

“It’s fine. Shut the door and hold my calls, please.” She closed the door without another word.

“Sorry to drop in unannounced, son. You’re harder to get a hold of now that you’re back in the states than you were when you were deployed.” The stately man folded his paper and motioned for Bradley to have a seat as if they were in his office instead of Bradley’s.

“Sorry, Dad. It’s been a hectic week. Is everything OK? Is Mom doing well?” Bradley asked, settling into the chair next to his father.

“Your mother is fine. She would be better if you would visit more often.”

“I’ll make a trip soon. I promise.” Bradley shifted.What is he doing here?

“That’s not why I’m here anyway,” Steve Givens said, reading his son’s thoughts. “I want to share some news before it gets out. But first I want to ask you something.”

“Sure, Dad. What is it?” Tendrils of panic raced through Bradley as Darci’s question at the restaurant came back to him.Surely not. He’s never expressed interest in being president.

“I want to offer you a job.” Bradley closed his eyes.Not this again.

“Dad please. We’ve been over this. I don’t want it to look like I’m riding on your coat tails. I need to do this on my own.”

“Well, you need to know I’m throwing my hat into the ring.”

“Ring? Dad, what are you telling me?” Bradley’s throat tightened as the panic grew.How on earth did Darci have this information before me?

“I’m saying I’m running for president.” It was a simple sentence, said with the ease with which one might declare they are going to the store. But it confirmed Bradley’s worst nightmare.

“What? Dad why?”

“Because I don’t like our options right now, and I feel like I have no choice. I’ve already put out feelers, and I’ve got an excellent shot at getting the nomination with the fund-raising I’ve already been promised.”

“Dad, you can’t do this!” Bradley felt his face heating as he struggled to keep from raising his voice. “Atleigh will mop the floor with you if you make it to the general election. How do I explain to the press that I’m working for my father’s competition?”

“You don’t. You come work for me.” The ‘no big deal,’ attitude his father said it with had Bradley clenching his fists and inhaling to keep from unleashing a string of expletives.

“Dad, no, I can’t. What thefuckdo I tell Atleigh? You need to steer clear of me if you are hell bent on doing this. Otherwise, people will think I’m spying for you.”

Steve held up his hands. “Son, stop. Calm down. Like I said, I wanted you to hear it from me before the media gets wind. I knew it was wishful thinking for you to take a job with me, but I had to try.”

“Well, you have my answer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a full afternoon.” He crossed the room and opened his door. A dismissive gesture. Steve Givens stood and joined Bradley, placing a hand on his shoulder. Disappointment filled his eyes.

“I love you, son, and I’m serious about visiting your mother more often.”

“I love you too, Dad. I promise I’ll come home soon.” He hugged his dad despite his anger. After Steve left, Bradley paced back and forth.

This could not be happening. A glance at his watch told him he still had forty-five minutes until his meeting. He poked his head out his door. “Adara, can you see if the senator is available now? I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”

“Sure boss. Is everything all right with your father?”

“Fine.” Bradley chose not to tell his assistant what was bothering him. “The senator please, Adara. It’s important.” He was glad she caught on to the fact that he didn’t want to talk about it. Sean Atleigh would have a fucking field day with this.

Adara’s voice came through the speaker on his desk. “The senator said you can come to his office in fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you, Adara. You can take off for the day. Enjoy your evening.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying.”

“I insist. You deserve the extra time away from here. Things are about to get crazy, and we’ll be working a lot of nights and weekends.”

---